Is Mac Jones’ Starting Job In Jeopardy?
Mac Jones has found himself as the latest topic of quarterback controversy around the NFL. Jones has missed the last two games for the Patriots with a high-ankle sprain. He is set to make his return in the next couple of weeks. Many have assumed Jones would return as the Patriots’ clear starter, but that is no longer the case.
There has been talk of whether the Patriots will choose to start Jones upon his return, or instead go with rookie Bailey Zappe. Zappe has played in the last two games for the Patriots and has shown quite the ability to perform at the NFL level. Zappe came into the Patriot’s Week 4 game against the Packers after Brian Hoyer went down with a concussion. Upon entering the game, Zappe threw for 99 yards and a touchdown on 10/15 passing. The following week, Zappe made his first career start where he threw for 188 yards and a touchdown on 17/21 passing. Zappe’s performance led the Patriots to a 29-0 blow-out win over the Detroit Lions.
Zappe’s showing against the Lions has led to the question of the future quarterback in New England. The recent events have led Patriots’ head coach Bill Belichick to border on indecision for his starting quarterback of the future. When asked about whether or not Jones would be the starter when healthy in a press conference, Belichick simply answered, “We’ll see, I don’t know.” Belichick kept fairly quiet regarding the quarterback situation, only striking up more questions.
It seems as though Jones has a real reason to be worried about his starting job. Prior to getting injured, he played mediocre at best throwing for 786 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions in just 3 total games. Critics have questioned Jones’ ability to perform this season. On top of that, the Patriots were just 1-2 at the time of his injury. Rookie Bailey Zappe surely has all the confidence in the world. He’s reportedly been playing that way all week at practice.
It will be interesting to see who lines up at quarterback this Sunday in the Patriots game against the Browns. While Jones has been practicing at full speed this week with the team, questions still remain up in the air about his starting job. We will get answers this Sunday. Is Mac Jones still the quarterback of the future for New England? Or is it time for Bailey Zappe to get his shot at leading the team?
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE
